GIANTS BROUGHT DOWN
LADDER leader Geelong West suffered its first loss of the season, succumbing at home by 20 points to a typically workmanlike Bell Post Hill outfit on Saturday.
The Panthers constantly pressured the Giants midfield, never allowing their smooth running game to develop and harassed their defenders into errors, creating turnovers and scoring opportunities.
A significant change came over the game when the Giants’ Jye Bohm was forced from the ground in the second quarter, leaving both teams with makeshift ruckmen.
It was an ugly contest until three-quarter time, with the only highlight created by the teams’ full-forwards, Will Ford and Blake Dye, who were making the most of the limited clean supply.
West held a slender fourpoint lead at the last break, but the Panthers busted the game open as their skipper Jack Yates and Chris Danielle forced the ball into attack, creating a wave of chances, snapped up by Ford and Nick Costello.
They skipped out to a 21point lead and the game appeared to be gone for the Giants, but the clever Dye had other thoughts, kicking two of three goals in a three-minute burst that had the Giants within a kick of regaining the lead.
The Panthers lifted to the challenge with tiny livewire Aaron Vacirca creating something from nothing to score an improbable goal, and when Ford kicked his sixth the game was over.
Dye was superb for the vanquished Giants, kicking seven goals with a mixture of sharp leads, strong pack marks and clever snaps.
A delighted Bell Post Hill coach Justin Tarr was full of praise for his charges after the game.
“We don’t have a lot of raw talent in the team, but they all know their job and we just keep putting pressure on around the ball,” Tarr said.
“I thought we were a big chance at three-quarter time because West hadn’t been really tested much recently and we thought we could crack the game open.
“It worked out perfectly for us”.
Giants coach Mitch Wight was philosophical after the game, taking a positive approach to lessons learned from the high-pressure environment.
“We didn’t stand up well with our skills under pressure, but the experience will help us,” Wight said.
“We have a couple of big games coming up against East and Inverleigh, and I’m sure today will help us be better prepared for them.”
INVERLEIGH v THOMSON
THOMSON was desperately unlucky to not snatch a win over the more fancied Inverleigh after dominating the first three quarters. The Hawks produced a stunning seven-goal last term to grab a thrilling 14.10 (94) to 13.14 (92) victory. Dalton Grundell was the star for Inverleigh with six goals and his effort was matched by electric Tigers small forward Dan Freeman, who kicked half a dozen of his own to dominate the early part of the game.
WINCHELSEA v WERRIBEE CENTRALS
WINCHELSEA was able to outlast a determined Werribee Centrals, pulling away to win 13.15 (93) to 11.5 (71). David Tucker bagged six goals for the Blues and Jackson Smith was a star in the midfield. Josh Bouwman was the standout for Centurions with five goals.
EAST GEELONG v CORIO
AN exceptional 10-goal return from Jake Watson-Searle was the highlight of East Geelong’s massive 94-point win over Corio. The accurate Eagles kicked 22.9 (141) to 7.5 (47) with Tim McLennan also dominating.
BANNOCKBURN v NORTH GEELONG
BANNOCKBURN had little trouble dealing with North Geelong and careered away to win 21.15 (141) to 2.7 (19). Kieran Fulton booted another six goals for the Tigers.
ANAKIE v BELMONT LIONS
THE Belmont Lions secured their second win of the season, 14.16 (100) to 6.12 (48). Darren Morrish was outstanding for the defeated Roos, but it was the five-goal return from Lion Ben Evans who won the best player honours.